PLAINVIEW – Local radio personality Tom Hall will be leaving the airways for a return to academia. Hall, the voice of the Plainview Bulldogs, has been named Executive Director of Student Services and Dean of Students at Wayland Baptist University, effective Oct. 5.

Hall is returning to Wayland after an 11-year hiatus. During that time he served as the operation manager at KKYN radio in Plainview where he was best known for his “Wake Up Kickin’” morning show as well as his play-by-play broadcasts of Plainview High School athletics. While he has loved his time at KKYN, Hall said he definitely won’t miss that 4:30 alarm waking him up every morning.

“I am so excited to be going back to Wayland,” Hall said. “I know a lot of those people and have a lot of good friends who work at Wayland, and a lot of great memories of the university.”

Hall worked at Wayland from 1981-1998, including 14 years within the student services umbrella as director of student services and student activities director. He served as Director of Contracted Services prior to leaving Wayland.

“(Tom) is very excited about engaging our students at this important time in their lives,” said Dr. Claude Lusk, vice president for enrollment management. “He has a passion for developing young people academically, emotionally and relationally that will serve us well.”

“I want to be a facilitator for young people,” Hall said. “I want to encourage young people to make good decisions.”

Hall is a 1972 graduate of West Texas State University, holding a bachelor’s degree in speech and English. He is a member of the Harley Redin Athletic Hall of Honor at Wayland and a Plainview Centennial Circle of Honor recipient. He was also named Plainview Man of the Year in 2004. Hall will replace Emmitt Tipton, who stepped aside after 12 years as dean to return to the classroom. Tipton teaches accounting in the Wayland School of Business.

Hall said he will continue to call Plainview High School football games through the remainder of the season, broadcasting on 103.9 FM, KKYN.